Honduras head coach Hernan Medford announced his roster for the away friendlies against Mexico and the United States on October 9 (Tuxtla Gutierrez) and October 14 (Boca Raton, Florida), respectively.

Of the 21 players selected, 10 were part of the squad that finished fifth in the Central American Cup (CCA) earlier this month. That placement secured the Catrachos a playoff meeting with the team that ultimately finishes fifth in November’s Caribbean Cup for a berth in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The matches will mark the return of key performers Maynor Figueroa (Hull City/England) and Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes/USA). Neither veteran participated in the CCA, indicating after the World Cup that they would assess their national team futures.

“Nobody is obligated in this group,” said Medford. “All players come from conviction and that is the case for Figueroa and Bernardez with whom I talked on the phone before making the official announcement of their call-ups.”

A surprise invitation was extended to young Olimpia forward Alberth Elis. The rising star, who played in four games in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, has netted once in this season’s CONCACAF Champions League and also scored a goal against Panama in Central American qualifying for the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship.

“Elis is having a great season with Olimpia, despite being a player of 18-years-old,” expressed Medford. “He has shown a lot of maturity and I think is ready to be part of the senior squad.”

After a challenging Central American Cup, Medford views the encounters against the pair of CONCACAF powers as a new beginning.

“Football is about opportunities,” finished the former Real España manager. “Some of those who went to the Central American Cup have no advantage. Now we focus on those who have experience in order to cope with two major rivals such as Mexico and the United States.”

Honduras coach Hernán Evaristo Medford Bryan is a retired Costa Rican football player and currently manager of the Honduras national football team; he has called for patience as he attempts to stamp his authority on the national team.

Medford only replaced Luis Fernando Suarez in July, and he guided Honduras to two wins and as two losses at the Copa Centroamericana.

The Costa Rican born coach named 18-year-old debutant Alberth Elis in the 20-man team.

“There are players who for the first time I meet and why I always say, time is the least I have and that is what I have always needed time,” Medford said.

Honduras will convene on October 6 in Tegucigalpa, before traveling two days later to Mexico.

Jonathan Roberto is a retired "Tech Industry" consultant. After 30 years of studies and a pioneering career during the "Tech revolution", Jonathan returned to his native home in the country of Honduras full-time.
Jonathan was born and raised in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. During his childhood and teenage years, Jonathan was obsessed with electronics and communications, which led to his continued studies, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Graduate Business Psychology. His interest led him to volunteer on many pioneering projects throughout the country of Honduras, such as assisting in putting up the very first "signal repeater" for Channel 5, so that the city of San Pedro Sula could receive television signals from Tegucigalpa for the first time.
His communications interest was put to practical use as an avid amateur radio operator during his teenage years. He volunteered with the San Pedro Sula emergency response team during Hurricane Fifi, and assisted in receiving and delivering relief supplies to almost every corner of the country of Honduras, thus getting an in depth education of, and within, his country. Jonathan returned home during Hurricane Mitch, and helped raise substantial relief funds for the construction of water towers in hard hit areas of Honduras.
Jonathan has always been "extremely patriotic" and believes every proud "Catracho" should have a Honduran flag on display at their home and place of business, something he has done proudly, no matter where his career took him.
Jonathan's passion for Honduras has only continued to grow. He now has time to travel though out Honduras, and share his experiences as a volunteer author with Honduras.com